Alaska Volcano Observatory

Aerial view toward the southwest of the actively erupting cone within Veniaminof caldera. The white steam plume is produced where a lava flow is descending the side of the cone and melting snow and ice. The darker colored, ashy plume is rising in bursts from the active vent. Nearly continuous eruption from this vent since early June has built a new small tephra cone and an apron of lavas along the southwest flank of the cone. The caldera is about 10 km (6.5 mi) in diameter. The cone rises about 330 m (1080 ft) above the surrounding ice field. Note the dark stripe of ash fall on the ice. This photo was taken during a brief helicopter trip into the caldera by AVO Geologist Game McGimsey and Dickinson College Geology Professor Ben Edwards.